A Closer Look at Carbon Monoxide

Every year people are sent to the hospital and some even die from being poisoned by carbon monoxide. This is a deadly poison if you inhale to much it. All of this can be prevented if you know how.

Carbon Monoxide - What is it?

CO is a colorless, odorless as well as a toxic gas. Since is it invisible you can be inhaling it in your home and not ever realize it.

CO gas can originate from numerous of sources: appliances that use gas, grills, wood fireplaces or furnaces, as well as motor vehicles.

Protect your family and yourself

CO causes minor effects that can often be mistaken for the flu if it is low levels. These indicators include dizziness, headaches, confusion, fatigue as well as nausea. The effect of this toxic can be different for every person. This is because everyone’s body is different.

Elderly people, infants as well as people with a unhealthy immune system is at a greater risk of being poisoned by this toxic gas.

You can protect your family and yourself

• Make sure that your home has at least one alarm for CO in your home. Make sure that you maintain this alarm properly.

• Make sure that you have the whole house checked by a professional.

• Never use a grill indoors and never use your stove to heat your home.

• You should never leave your car running in a garage or enclosed space. This will reduce the risk of exposure.

• When buying a new home you should always have it checked by professionals before moving in.

What to do if the CO alarm goes off

If nobody is feeling ill:

1. Make the alarm stop.

2. All appliances should be turned off.

3. Open all doors and windows so that you can air out your home.

4. Call a professional to inspect the source of the probable CO buildup.

If illness occurs:

1. Get all of the people out of the home

2. Find all people that are sick and find out their symptoms.

3. Call 911 and explain the situation as well as how many people were affected

4. Only after the local fire department has authorized it do you go back in your home.

5. Hire a professional to fix the foundation of the CO.

Never try to fix the leak yourself. This can be very hazardous to you and the people around you. This is why there are professional that are paid and trained to do this kind of work. Always get an exposed person to the hospital just to be sure that they did not inhale any of the toxic gas.

So by following these steps you will increase your chances of not getting exposed to CO. If you ever feel like that you have been exposed you need to notify the proper professionals. This way anyone that has been exposed can been seen and treated if it is needed. This will also allow the professionals to find and fix the leak properly.